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05-07-2008, 04:55 PM   #31
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But wouldn't that be the case with any Pentax manual focus body?
This will not be a problem. We have several SMC Pentax-A lenses.

Chris

05-07-2008, 05:28 PM   #32
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Ok, now for the rest of my post that didn't show up.......

I found the PS's to also be more breakage prone and battery hogs compared to the A series. I used batteries at about twice the rate of my other K-mounts.
05-07-2008, 05:51 PM   #33
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In my wife's case that will mean changing batteries twice a year instead of once.
Eric said they're not bad, and that's good enough for me...

Chris
05-08-2008, 03:15 AM   #34
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QuoteOriginally posted by ChrisPlatt Quote
Eric said they're not bad, and that's good enough for me...
Never found battery life on my P3N be a problem.


QuoteOriginally posted by ChrisPlatt Quote
But wouldn't that be the case with any Pentax manual focus body?
I'm not sure. I would expect to be able to use shutter priority at least. Setting a shutter speed on the P3N (i.e. other than P) has no effect if the lens stays in A, i.e. the P3N has no shutter priority mode. It seems to have aperture priority though, where you set an aperture using the lens aperture ring and P as its "shutter speed".

I guess there are Pentax manual focus bodies which feature a shutter priority mode. I'm not sure, though.

05-08-2008, 03:34 AM   #35
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Care to sell the battery grip from the ZX-7?
05-08-2008, 05:30 AM   #36
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I think most people dislike the P series based on ergonomics and aesthetics mainly, they are ugly cameras in my opinion.
05-08-2008, 05:34 AM   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by falconeye Quote
Never found battery life on my P3N be a problem.




I'm not sure. I would expect to be able to use shutter priority at least. Setting a shutter speed on the P3N (i.e. other than P) has no effect if the lens stays in A, i.e. the P3N has no shutter priority mode. It seems to have aperture priority though, where you set an aperture using the lens aperture ring and P as its "shutter speed".

I guess there are Pentax manual focus bodies which feature a shutter priority mode. I'm not sure, though.

yea the P3n doesnt seem to have a shutter priority mode. the only Manual focus camera from the A series on that featured Tv was the superA/PROGRAM.

05-08-2008, 01:19 PM   #38
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No manual focus Pentax is the ideal backup camera for someone using AF lenses without aperture rings.
Again, this will not be a problem. With all the great manual focus Pentax lenses out there,
at bargain prices, why would I even consider buying an autofocus lens?

IMO more important than shutter priority AE, the P3n has exposure memory lock. The Super Program does not.

Regarding the P3n being the Pentax "ugly duckling", I suspect you may have hit the nail right on the head...

Chris

Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 05-08-2008 at 01:40 PM.
05-08-2008, 03:06 PM   #39
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The P3n camera arrived today from KEH. It's plasticky but pretty nice.
Seems pretty straightforward to operate. Wife reading manual now...

Chris
05-09-2008, 05:53 AM   #40
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hope this is a winner.
05-09-2008, 05:54 AM   #41
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How does she like the camera so far?
05-09-2008, 12:21 PM   #42
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Unlike the ZX-7, my wife picked the P3n and began fiddling with it immediately.
There's no hesitancy or look of fear in her eye this time.

I caught her thumbing through the manual again. Coming from a K1000
there's still a bit of a learning curve. Welcome to the 1980's!

She hasn't loaded any film yet. Maybe if we get some decent weather this weekend...

Chris
05-24-2008, 11:36 AM   #43
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My wife finished her first roll with the P3n and has sent out the film.

It's actually a very nice camera. I was so impressed I bought the near identical P30T.
It cost only $19.99 plus $7.00 postage on eBay, and it's like new.

The P3n/P30T bodies are slightly lighter than earlier models but feel surpisingly solid.
They're fun to use and have lots of useful features, including several sadly lacking in most M-series bodies:

Program, aperture priority AE and manual exposure
LED shutter speed scale in viewfinder
Cancellable electronic self-timer
DOF preview lever
Exposure memory lock (a very powerful tool that even the LX doesn't have!)
Smooth electromagnetic shutter release

This may be the Pentax "ugly duckling" line, but they are good cameras, and a real bargain!

Chris

Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 05-26-2008 at 08:17 AM.
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